by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 105 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fire protection students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fire protection, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among fire protection schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fire protection will find it at Oxnard College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moraine Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for fire protection. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for fire protection. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Modesto Junior College one of the best values for fire protection. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $50,364. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #8 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $8,098. Fire Protection graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College landed the #9 spot for fire protection value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $14,000. Fire Protection graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $53,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #10 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
South Texas College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College placed #12 among the best values for fire protection. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. Students from in state pay about $2,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $47,206 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $6,125 in student loans. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $91,944. Set against $6,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College came in at #14 for value in fire protection this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College landed the #15 spot for fire protection value this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the fire protection program here. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Solano Community College earned the #16 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $10,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College came in at #17 for value in fire protection this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College came in at #18 for value in fire protection this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
San Antonio College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fire protection schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the fire protection program here. Fire Protection graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College came in at #20 for value in fire protection this year. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Las Positas College earned the #21 position for value in fire protection this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Sandhills Community College placed #22 among the best values for fire protection. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $9,238. Soon after graduation, fire protection degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. Set against $9,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #23 for value in fire protection this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the fire protection program here. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Spokane Community College landed the #24 spot for fire protection value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for fire protection graduates is $16,486. Early-career fire protection graduates make about $39,679. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #25 among the best values for fire protection. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Fire Protection graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Fire Protection graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fire protection:
Explore the best-value fire protection schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.